ministry

There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. (NIV) Acts 18:2-3

As Paul entered Corinth, he entered a wealthy, but depraved society. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. To support himself while he was there, Paul worked as a tentmaker. He met “a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.” (Acts 18:2-3). Priscilla and Aquila became honored and much-loved friends of Paul. Together with Paul, they formed the nucleus of the young church in Corinth.

Priscilla is often listed before her husband, Aquila, which indicates that perhaps she was from a higher social class than her husband. In any case Priscilla and Aquila played an important role in early Christianity. Paul referred to them as “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). They were workers for God not slackers. The Edict of Claudius had forced them to leave Rome but, in doing so, God placed them in a position to make an impact for Him. The 2 shared Paul’s itinerant ministry. They went to Ephesus and Rome to assist the young churches. As missionaries, they shared the Gospel wherever they went (Acts 18:18; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19).

Priscilla and Aquila were committed to God and they devoted their lives to sharing His message. How about you? Are you sharing God’s message while you’re in the workplace? At home? At the health club? In your neighborhood? Are you coming alongside one of God’s messengers and encouraging them? Are you obediently following God wherever He may send you? Or are you “bargaining” with Him wanting your own terms? How are you being diligent with expanding God’s Kingdom? Would Paul describe you as one of his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus?” If not, ask God to clearly direct you with becoming more effective in His Kingdom.

God gives His Power to us for one purpose, to Glorify Christ. God’s desire for men and women is to clothe them with His Power. The Church in its feeble worship and ministry is faltering because of its lack of Power. The world awaits a display of God’s power to be convinced that God is in the midst of His people, His Church. But the bigger question is: Does the world see the Power of God at work within you?

A Prayer to Pray:

Father,
Let me not be content with mediocrity. I want to live as a witness for Jesus Christ. I want to live in sync with Your Spirit living within me. . . For I know that Your will is to fill me with Your Power in order that Your Son is glorified.

Father, keep reminding me that Your Power comes in my weakness. May I learn that Your Power is released through me so that the world will see You. May I allow Jesus Christ to hold the power and do His work in the midst of my weakness. May the Holy Spirit be so present in me that the world will see You in all I do and may You and You alone receive the credit and the honor. Father, I submit my whole being to Your Holy Spirit, let it rule within me.
Amen

The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. (NIV) Luke 9:37

Peter, James and John had just witnessed a supernatural scene. Jesus had been transformed. . . the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. . . Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. . . a cloud appeared and enveloped them . . . the voice of God came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him” . . . and then suddenly the disciples were alone with Jesus again (Luke 9:28-36). Not your everyday kind of experience!

But as wonderful as the mountain top experience was, the next morning, Jesus and His disciples descended back into the “real world”. And they returned to much the same scene as they left, people wanting something from them. You see, our character is shaped on the mountain top. . . but our ministry is lived out in the real world.

Are you waiting for God to use you in some spectacular way? Start living out your faith in your day to day activities. God wants our character shaped during our times with Him to be seen in the routine of our regular lives. There’s no job, no life, no activity, no work, no routine, that is too mundane that the touch of God cannot turn it into a reflection of Himself!